Breast cancer (mate pukupuku ūtaetae) is a harmful growth that starts in your breast tissue. It's the most common cancer among New Zealand women, affecting 1 in 9 women over their lifetime.
On this page, you can find the following information:
On average, 9 people in Aotearoa New Zealand, will hear the news today that they have breast cancer.
Breastscreen Aotearoa is a national screening programme providing free mammograms to women aged 45 to 69 years, every 2 years. This service helps to catch breast cancer early and save lives. Read more about breast screening.
Men can develop breast cancer, though this is rarer, adding up to about 1% of all breast cancers.
Key points:
Breast cancer can occur at any age but is most common in women between 50 and 70 years old. You are more at risk if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Treatment is usually more successful if breast cancer is found at an early stage.
By the time you can feel a breast cancer, it's about the size of a cherry or walnut, while mammograms can pick up breast cancers that are as small as a grain of rice.
If you find a breast lump, see your healthcare provider to have it checked.
What are the causes of breast cancer?
Cancer is caused when some of the cells in our body start to grow out of control. These cells keep multiplying and form a lump called a tumour.
Some breast cancers grow very slowly, while others grow much faster. Breast cancer can spread to the lymph glands and to other parts of the body, such as the bones and liver.
The causes of breast cancer are not clear, but many risk factors are known. The main factors that influence your risk include being female and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in those who are 50 years old or older. Read more about risk factors for breast cancer.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Breasts undergo changes throughout life. In particular, breasts may become sore, lumpy or swollen during the menstrual cycle. Not all breast lumps are caused by cancer, but some breast changes that may be early signs of cancer include:
a distinct lump or lumpiness
thickening of the tissue or skin
nipple changes, such as skin dimpling
a blood-stained discharge from one nipple
an inverted nipple (unless the nipple has always been turned in)
a rash on a nipple
a change in breast shape
a painful area
a rash or red mark that appears only on your breast.
If you have any of these changes. You don’t necessarily have breast cancer, but you should see your healthcare provider to get your breasts checked.
Most breast cancers begin in the milk ducts (ductal cancers), while a small number start in the milk sacs or lobules (lobular cancers). Within these 2 groups there are different subtypes of breast cancer.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about your medical history and symptoms and will do a physical examination.
You may then be referred to a specialist for a mammogram and/or ultrasound scan. Further testing may be required including taking a sample of cells from the lump, biopsy or removal of the lump, and laboratory testing on any breast tissue samples.
Breast cancer is treated by 4 different methods: surgery, radiation treatment (radiotherapy), chemotherapy and hormone treatment. Find out more about each of these types of treatment for breast cancer.
The treatment, or combination of treatments, used will depend on:
the type and size of the breast cancer
whether or not it has spread
the age, general health and personal choice of the person with breast cancer.
Understand your options
Before any treatment begins, make sure you have discussed the options with your healthcare provider. They may advise that one method of treatment is better than another, or that a combination of treatments is used. It's best to discuss these recommendations to help you understand the reasons for this advice. It is also your right to ask for a second opinion if you want one.
You may find it useful to have your partner, friend or whānau with you when you talk to healthcare providers. You may also find it helpful to make a list of questions before your visit. The Breast Cancer Foundation of NZ has an excellent webpage with questions to ask your surgeon and oncologist about your diagnosis and treatment.
Your treatment team
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you will be cared for by one or more of a team of health professionals, including:
your family healthcare provider
breast care and oncology nurses – who help you through all stages of your cancer treatment
a breast surgeon – who specialises in breast diseases, and sometimes a plastic (reconstructive) surgeon
a pathologist – a doctor who diagnoses disease by studying cells and tissues under a microscope
a radiation oncologist – a doctor who specialises in the use of radiation in the treatment of cancer
a radiation therapist – who prepares you and gives you your radiation treatment
a medical oncologist – a doctor who specialises in the use of drug treatments for cancer
a dietitians – who recommends the best foods to eat
social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists – who advise you on the support services available, and help you get back to normal activities.
In some areas, not all types of diagnosis and treatment are available. If there are services you would like to access, or you have questions about your symptoms, contact your breast care nurse so they can help you to get the best treatment.
What happens after breast cancer treatment?
After your treatment is finished, you will have regular check-ups. Your healthcare provider will decide how often these are needed. They will gradually take place less often if you have no further problems.
You should also regularly examine your breasts, or remaining breast and mastectomy area. Tell your doctor about any unusual breast symptoms or general health symptoms.
Many people worry that any pain or illness is a sign the cancer is coming back. This is usually not the case, but if you are worried, talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing.
Cancer recurrence
Sometimes, breast cancer can come back. This is called a recurrence. Most recurrences appear within 5 years of the initial treatment.
Treatment of recurrent breast cancer may be by surgery, radiation treatment, chemotherapy or hormone treatment or a combination of these. Treatment aims to control the disease.
Successful treatment of recurrent breast cancer allows many people to continue leading normal lives.
Common concerns following breast cancer treatment
Following breast cancer treatment, it's natural to have many questions and concerns that reach beyond whether the initial cancer has been cured.
Your recent experiences mean you may need access to good advice on how to best cope with the physical, emotional and psychological upheaval breast cancer has had on your life.
Credits: Cancer Society NZ & Health Navigator Editorial Team. Reviewed By: Dr Bryony Harrison, MBChB, BMedSci(Hons), DipPCEPE, Junior Doctor.
Last reviewed: 03 Mar 2023
Risk factors for breast cancer
The causes of breast cancer are not clear, but many risk factors are known. The following increase your chance of getting breast cancer:
Being female.
Getting older (for females).
Having previously had breast cancer.
having an increased number of abnormal cells in the milk ducts (atypical hyperplasia). This can be seen in a breast biopsy.
A family history of breast cancer:
This risk can be mild, moderate or high, and depends on the number of relatives affected, whether they are first or second-degree relatives (first-degree are sisters, brothers and parents), and the age of the relative(s) when their breast cancer was found.
People who have inherited one of the abnormal BRCA genes associated with breast cancer.
Even with a high risk, most people won't develop breast cancer.
Heredity and breast cancer
About 1 in 20 breast cancers is caused by a faulty breast cancer gene. If your cancer is caused by such a gene, your healthcare provider can help you decide whether genetic testing would be helpful for your wider family. Find out more about theBRCA gene.
Most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease, so being aware of what to watch out for and having regular mammograms are your best protection.
Your healthcare provider may arrange these tests or you may be referred directly to a specialist.
Physical examination
Before an examination takes place, your healthcare provider will talk to your about your medical history, recent symptoms and the reason for your referral. If required, the healthcare provider will explain the steps of the examination, ask for your consent and perform a physical examination of your breasts. If not already present, they may arrange for a chaperone (another person to be present during the examination).
If you have questions or concerns about having this exam, please discuss these with your healthcare provider prior to the exam. Steps can be taken to ensure your comfort and privacy.
If your regular healthcare provider is male you may feel more comfortable requesting to see a female one.
The examination usually involves lying on a table or sitting in a chair and having one breast uncovered at a time. The person doing the examination will palpate (press) into the breast tissue, moving around the breast in a pattern like the face of a clock. Next they may feel under your armpit and along your collarbone before covering your breast and moving on to examine the other.
Diagnostic imaging
Mammogram
A mammogram is a breast X-ray. It will give your healthcare provider more information about any lump or other change noticed. Occasionally, a lump that can be felt is not seen on a mammogram. Such a lump should not be ignored. Other tests will need to be done.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a test using high-frequency sound waves to help detect lumps or other changes.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An MRI scan is a scan that uses magnetic resonance to detect abnormalities in the breast. This type of scan is sometimes used in lobular carcinomas to make sure there is not more than one cancer present, and it can check the other breast as well. It can also be used to check the breast if a mammogram is negative but the specialist is concerned about the lump or changes in the breast.
Diagnostic tests
Fine needle aspiration
A fine needle aspiration can be done in your specialist's rooms, a hospital outpatient department, or at a laboratory by a pathologist. A very narrow needle is used to take some cells from the lump. These cells are then sent to a laboratory for examination.
A fine needle aspiration may cause a little discomfort but isn't usually any more painful than a blood test. Results from this test may be available immediately or may take some time, depending on where it is done.
Biopsy
Sometimes a biopsy will be necessary. A biopsy is the removal of a sample of a lump or the entire lump for examination under a microscope.
Core biopsy
A larger needle than that used for fine needle aspiration is used to obtain a sliver of tissue from the lump. This is done with a local anaesthetic. Core biopsy can be done by a radiologist under ultrasound guidance or in a mammogram machine (stereotactic core biopsy). Sometimes it is done by palpation (feeling) of the lump by the specialist.
Open biopsy
Sometimes, a surgical or open biopsy is necessary to remove the whole lump. This small operation is usually done under general anaesthetic, although occasionally a local anaesthetic is all that's needed. To have an open biopsy, you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
Hook wire biopsy
If the abnormality in the breast can only be detected by the mammogram (your doctor cannot feel the lump), a guide wire may be inserted in the breast to mark the area of the breast to be removed in the biopsy. This procedure takes place in the radiology department.
The placement of the wire is done under local anaesthetic, and the abnormality is then removed as in an open biopsy under general anaesthetic, and sent to the laboratory for testing.
Hormone-receptor tests
If the lump is a cancer, hormone tests will be done using immuno-histochemistry (IHC), on the sample that was removed. These tests show whether the cancer cells have special ‘markers’ on them called 'hormone receptors' (oestrogen/progesterone). If these markers are present, the cancer is described as 'hormone receptor positive' and the cancer is more likely to respond to hormone treatment if this is needed later.
HER2 tests
HER2 is a growth factor protein which tells breast cancer cells to grow. Approximately 1 in 5 females with breast cancer test 'HER2 positive', which means their cancer is more aggressive.
Two tests (IHC and FISH) are available to check HER2. The IHC test is used first and if this is only weakly positive, then the FISH test is used. If tests show that you have HER2 positive cancer, this will influence future choices of chemotherapy, hormones, or monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody drug called trastuzumab (Herceptin) targets the growth factor so that breast cancer cells stop growing.
Staging breast cancer
‘Staging’ is a process of assessing the extent of a tumour. Other tests may also be necessary if cancer is diagnosed. These include blood tests and a chest X-ray. In some situations, a bone scan and a liver scan may be done.
The complete results from the biopsy and any further tests will help to determine the best treatment for you. With this information, your healthcare providers will know if you have an early breast cancer, locally advanced breast cancer, or metastatic (secondary) breast cancer.
Grading breast cancer
The pathologist (doctor who looks at cancers in the laboratory) ‘grades’ the cancer, from 1 to 3, according to the way the cancer cells look and behave.
The cells of a Grade 1 breast cancer look more like normal breast cells, whereas the cells of a Grade 3 breast cancer look very abnormal, indicating a faster-growing cancer.
The treatment choices you are offered will be based on all the information the healthcare providers have about your cancer.
On this page, you can find the following information:
Which treatment or combination of treatments is used depends on the type and size of the breast cancer and whether it has spread, and the age, general health and personal choice of the woman with breast cancer.
The first treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery. The aim of surgery is to remove all the cancer. The type of surgery depends on factors such as the size of your cancer, the size of your breast, the position of the cancer in your breast and what you want.
Surgery may involve removing the cancer and a rim of breast tissue around it (wide local excision) or removing the whole breast (mastectomy).
At the same time, some of the lymph glands in your armpit (the axillary lymph nodes) are removed. A pathologist will examine these lymph glands to see whether you need further treatment after your surgery.
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the removal of your whole breast, including some of the skin and the nipple. Your chest muscles are not removed.
Usually, the lymph nodes in your armpit are removed through the same cut (incision) during this operation (called axillary node clearance or dissection).
Mastectomy performed today is less disfiguring than the radical mastectomy of the past. It is carried out in a way that makes it easier for your breast to be reconstructed. After a mastectomy, most women will have a horizontal scar across their chest.
Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or after all your treatments for cancer are completed, as a separate operation (delayed reconstruction).
Breast-conserving treatment
For many women, it is now possible to have a smaller operation, such as a partial mastectomy (or wide local excision). A breast-conserving operation involves removing the breast lump with some surrounding normal breast tissue to ensure a good clearance.
Surgery is then followed by radiation treatment to the remaining part of the breast. This usually happens 6–8 weeks after surgery. This makes sure any cancer cells that are still present in your breast are treated, and significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurring in the remaining breast tissue.
Lymph glands are also removed for examination in these smaller operations. This is often done through a separate incision (cut) in your armpit.
Breast-conserving operations have been routinely performed for many years. Studies show that both mastectomy and breast-conserving operations with radiation treatment are equally effective in the treatment of early breast cancer.
However, breast-conserving surgery is not suitable for every woman with breast cancer.
Advantages and disadvantages of surgical methods
While many women may want a breast-conserving operation, whether this is possible depends on the size of the breast cancer and the size of your breast.
It is helpful to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each method for yourself.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Mastectomy
Radiation treatment may not be needed.
In some cases, if the tumour is large, close to the underlying muscle or if there are many lymph nodes involved, radiation treatment is still recommended to reduce the risk of cancer recurring.
For some people, mastectomy and reconstruction will give a better cosmetic result than breast-conserving surgery.
The whole breast is removed (though reconstruction is possible).
Breast-conserving operation
Only the area of the cancer is removed.
Some operations may require a large amount of breast tissue and cancer to be removed, and the remaining tissue may not heal into the shape of a normal breast. How the breast looks after surgery is referred to as the ‘cosmetic result’.
Further treatment with radiation treatment is almost always needed. This can take up to 6 weeks.
Side effects of breast surgery
You may experience some of the following:
Wound infection where thewound may feel tender, swollen and warm to touch. There may be redness in the area and/or discharge from the wound. You may feel unwell with fever. If this happens, you need to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Bruising and haematoma is when blood collects within the tissues surrounding the wound causing swelling, discomfort and hardness. Your body will reabsorb the blood within a few weeks.
Pain in your armpit or down your arm is more likely if you have lymph glands removed. You will get advice about exercises to reduce the pain and improve your arm movement after surgery.
Cording is a pain like a tight cord running from your armpit, down your upper arm and through to the back of your hand. Cording is thought to be due to hardening of your lymph vessels. Cording may restrict movement and continue for many months. Physiotherapy and exercise may help.
Reduced sensitivity of the inner side of your upper arm may occur. It may be a sign of nerve damage which would have been discussed with you before your surgery. It's usually temporary and improves or disappears about 3 months after surgery.
Swelling caused by fluid build-up (seroma) which may need to be drained for days, and in some cases, several weeks. A nurse will tend to your drain and bandages.
Swelling of your arm (lymphoedema) may occur after lymph glands have been removed from your armpit. On rare occasions, this swelling can extend into the chest wall.
Reduced range of movement in your shoulder may happen. You'll be given an exercise programme to improve this after surgery, and sometimes a physiotherapist will help you.
It’s a good idea to discuss possible side effects with your doctor before your operation. Tell your breast care nurse or doctor if you have any of these side effects after your surgery.
After your operation, your surgeon will discuss your tumour with other specialists to decide what further treatment, if any, will be recommended to you. This might include radiation treatment, chemotherapy and/or hormone treatment.
After surgery care
Arm care
Following your surgery, it may take some time to regain the full use of your arm. Your physiotherapist or breast care nurse will give you instructions for exercises.
You may be concerned that your arm will swell after your lymph glands have been removed. This is much less common today because of the better methods of surgery and radiation treatment. However, a few people still develop problems with arm swelling (called lymphoedema). To reduce the risk of this happening, you should avoid injury or infection to your arm or hand by doing the following:
Wear gardening gloves when gardening, use an oven glove when handling hot dishes and use a thimble for sewing.
If you're out in the sun, protect your arm from sunburn by wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and use a good sunscreen (SPF 30+) on uncovered areas.
Get help with heavy jobs like moving furniture or carrying heavy luggage, and avoid using heavy backpacks for any length of time.
It may help to wear a support sleeve when flying.
If it can be avoided, remind health professionals not to take your blood pressure or have blood tests taken from the affected arm.
Avoid having an intravenous drip in that arm and ask that any injections, including acupuncture or anaesthetics, be given elsewhere.
If you have a cut, clean it well and use an antiseptic dressing. See your healthcare provider quickly if you think it is infected.
Be aware of swelling in your arm at any point in the future. Contact your doctor if this occurs.
Lymphoedema therapists and physiotherapists can also advise you about the need to wear a support sleeve if your arm does swell up. Read more about lymphoedema.
Breast forms (prostheses)
If you have had a mastectomy, you may want to consider using a breast form (prosthesis). A breast form can give a good cosmetic appearance as well as helping your balance and posture. Many people choose to use a breast form although some prefer not to.
Breast forms are also available for people who have had lesser surgery (partial mastectomy).
Immediately after surgery, temporary prostheses are available from your local Cancer Society or breast care nurse. About 6 weeks after your operation, you may choose to wear a permanent prosthesis.
You are entitled to a benefit for a permanent breast form. Ask your surgeon or breast care nurse for a medical certificate of entitlement.
Reconstruction of your breast
After a mastectomy, your breast can be reconstructed either straight away or later. A surgeon's decision about which method of reconstruction to recommend is based on many factors.
You should discuss reconstruction fully with your specialist and ask any questions you have before the operation. You may be referred to a plastic (or reconstructive) surgeon.
Many people don't want to have a reconstruction. Speaking with a breast care nurse or with other people who have had breast cancer may be helpful.
Radiation treatment
Radiation treatment is the use of radiation (rays of energy called photons or little particles called electrons) to destroy cancer cells. You will see a radiation oncologist who will discuss your treatment with you.
Treatment is carefully planned to reduce any effect on normal cells. Treatment is given 4–5 days a week, over about 4–5 weeks. It is painless and only takes a few minutes for each treatment.
An extra radiation boost dose may be given to the area where your breast cancer was located, taking the overall treatment time up to 5–6 weeks. Partial breast irradiation is being investigated as an alternative to whole breast irradiation for some patients.
Sometimes radiation is given after mastectomy and axillary (armpit) surgery to reduce the likelihood of developing recurrence in/over the chest wall or in the axillary (armpit) or supraclavicular (above the collarbone) lymph nodes. This decision is usually made once the results of the surgery are available and the risks of the cancer coming back in these sites assessed.
Radiation may also be used for the treatment of recurrence or cancers that cannot be removed, either directly where it is situated or in other parts of the breast. The aim is to try to control the disease or reduce your symptoms. This usually requires fewer visits.
If you live a long way from the nearest oncology (cancer) centre, you will need to stay nearby during your radiation treatment. Oncology centres have special accommodation close by.
some reddening or sunburning of your skin – follow the advice of your radiation therapists about skin care and underarm hygiene
your breast may feel firmer.
Late side effects, which develop many months or years later, may include skin changes and changes in the size, shape, colour or feel of your breast. Radiation to your lymph nodes can increase the risk of developing lymphoedema (swelling of your arm).
If you're having radiation treatment you should get both extra rest and regular exercise to help you cope with the tiredness. Try to wear loose cotton clothing whenever possible to reduce any irritation to the area having the radiation.
Before you start having the radiation treatment, talk with your healthcare provider or the radiation therapy staff about any possible side effects and how to manage them.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer by drugs. The aim is to destroy cancer cells while having the least possible effect on normal cells. The drugs are usually injected into a vein via a drip so they can be circulated around your body.
Chemotherapy treats your whole body (systemic therapy) compared with surgery and radiation treatment, which are local treatments to a specific area in your body (such as your breast, chest wall or armpit).
Treatment is often in cycles at 3-weekly intervals, and may last for 6 cycles (which means it takes nearly 6 months). A doctor who specialises in cancer (an oncologist) will discuss all aspects of the treatment with you.
Chemotherapy is offered to some people with early breast cancer as an additional treatment to surgery, radiation treatment or both. This is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to destroy cancer cells that remain in your body but that can't be detected. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the chance of the breast cancer coming back (known as a recurrence).
If you're are also having radiation treatment, that will happen after your chemotherapy, and will start about 4 weeks after your last cycle of chemotherapy. If you have been recommended hormone therapy, that will start after your radiation treatment.
You're most likely to benefit from chemotherapy when there are cancer cells in the lymph glands in your armpit. There is also a benefit from chemotherapy if you have a more aggressive cancer (Grade 3 and oestrogen receptor negative). Women who are HER2 positive will benefit greatly from chemotherapy.
People with large tumours or a type of cancer called inflammatory breast cancer may be offered chemotherapy pre-surgery. This is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy side effects vary according to the particular drugs used. They may include the following:
infections – the chemotherapy medicines can lower your ability to fight infections
sore mouth
nausea and vomiting
loss of appetite or taste changes
feeling off-colour and tired
thinning or loss of hair
if you are still having periods, your periods may become irregular or stop while you are having treatment
if you are approaching menopause, your periods may not return once your treatment has stopped
your ability to become pregnant, but this is not always the case – you and your partner should use a reliable contraceptive, such as a condom, during treatment because the drugs can cause birth defects or miscarriage
infertility – some women may be permanently infertile after chemotherapy
hot flushes, vaginal dryness, mood swings or other symptoms of menopause
individual chemotherapy drugs may have particular side effects, and your healthcare provider will discuss this with you.
When to see your doctor
During treatment, if you develop a fever (your temperature is 38° C or more), or if you feel unwell in any way – take action quickly. Your body won’t be able to fight infection as well as it normally does. Contact your cancer doctor or nurse and follow their advice.
Discuss any side effects you experience with your doctor. Side effects are usually temporary and there are ways of reducing the impact of any unpleasant symptoms. For example, if you have temporary hair loss you are entitled to a benefit to buy a wig.
Monoclonal antibodies are drugs that recognise and bind to specific proteins (receptors) that are found in particular cancer cells or in your bloodstream.
One of these is Trastuzumab (Herceptin). It's given intravenously once every week or 3 weeks, and is usually well tolerated. It may cause some impairment of your heart’s pumping function, especially when used with a chemotherapy drug that affects your heart. A heart echo test will be done every 12 weeks to check this.
Hormone treatments
Many breast cancers appear to be influenced by the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
If you are pre-menopausal (you are still having periods) you may be offered tamoxifen, a hormone treatment taken as a tablet. You may also have menopause induced to stop your own production of hormones. This can be done by 4-weekly injections with goserelin (Zoladex) or by surgical removal of your ovaries (laparoscopic oophorectomy). Once you stop taking goserelin, your periods will usually return.
If you are post-menopausal (no longer have periods) you may be offered oral hormone treatments, either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex) or letrozole (Femara). These medicines reduce the production of hormones in your body (other than from the ovaries).
Side effects of hormone treatments
These may include:
menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness or mood swings
effects on fertility – if you have not reached menopause it may still be possible to become pregnant while you are taking hormone therapies, so if you are sexually active with a male partner, it's recommended you use reliable contraception, such as a condom.
permanent menopause.
Specific hormone drugs may cause additional side effects. Discuss these with your doctor before you start treatment and if you notice any symptoms once you start.
Aromatase inhibitors can cause a loss of minerals from your bones (osteoporosis). You may be asked to have a bone density study before starting or sometime during treatment.
Treatment may be given for several years. Osteoporosis can be treated with oral bisphosphonates (bone-hardening drugs).
Taking part in a clinical trial
Research into the causes of breast cancer and into ways to prevent, detect and treat it, is continuing. Your doctor may suggest you consider taking part in a clinical trial. It is always your decision whether or not to take part in a clinical trial. If you do not wish to take part, your doctor will discuss the best current treatment option for you.
Following breast cancer treatment, it's natural to have questions and concerns that reach beyond simply whether the initial cancer has been cured.
Experiencing breast cancer can affect you physically, emotionally and psychologically. It's important to reach out for advice and support when you need it. This may be after your treatment is completed.
Regular health checks are recommended for people who have had breast cancer, and follow-up is advised for 10 years – usually starting on a 3-monthly basis. Your healthcare team will provide information on your ongoing care, and will be able to give advice and direct you to helpful resources.
Common concerns following breast cancer treatment
Pain and numbness
Surgery for breast cancer is usually less extensive today than it used to be. However, pain after surgery, radiation treatment or chemotherapy is still a reality for some people. Pain is not something you should ignore (even if it's possible for you to just carry on). Pain doesn't help your recovery and it can mean that it's harder to do the things that do help you to recover (eg, sleep and exercise).
There are ways to minimise pain, not all of which involve medicines. Your healthcare provider or pain clinic can suggest suitable options (eg, a programme of exercise, yoga, meditation or acupuncture). Low doses of certain antidepressant medications may be an option as they can ease some types of pain due to nerve irritation.
Numbness or tingling in your arm is more common if lymph nodes have been removed from your armpit. This occurs due to nerve damage in the area. It may improve over time as the nerves slowly regrow. However, it doesn't always improve and the numbness may be permanent. It's important to protect these numb areas from injury (eg, sunburn, sharp objects). If the numbness or tingling doesn't clear up in a few weeks or months you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Fluid build-up
During your recovery from surgery, it's possible for a fluid collection to build up over your chest or under your armpit – this is called a seroma. If the seroma is large and uncomfortable, sometimes fluid can be removed using a syringe. This may need to be repeated to help the seroma to resolve.
If the cancer, surgery or radiation treatment involved the lymph nodes in your armpit, the normal drainage of fluid (lymph) from your hand and arm back to your body may be affected. For some people, this can cause arm swelling (lymphoedema), but it's less common with today's treatments. If you notice swelling in your arm, talk to your healthcare provider and they may be able to refer you to a lymphoedema specialist.
When this is a risk, it can often be prevented by regaining movement in the shoulder and by carrying out regular arm exercises recommended by your breast-care nurse. It's important that you continue to protect this arm from injury, infection and sunburn and don't use it for heavy lifting. The problem can develop months or years after treatment.
Weight loss and fatigue (ongoing tiredness)
These are well-known problems when recovering from breast cancer. In the past, you would have been advised to rest. Now, research shows that you are likely to feel better if you keep up with regular activity.
Exercise can boost your immune system, help relieve pain, stress, improve your mood, stimulate your appetite and help you sleep better. You should ask your healthcare provider about suitable forms of exercise, and find one you can enjoy.
Menopause
The growth of some types of breast cancer is stimulated by the female hormone oestrogen and progesterone. In younger women who are still having periods, chemotherapy effectively shuts down the ovaries and stops them producing oestrogen. Stopping the body's oestrogen production, and blocking its action on the cancer, reduces the chances of the cancer coming back. However, this can create unwanted menopausal symptoms or cause an early menopause.
The older you are (and closer you are to natural menopause), the less likely it is that your ovarian function and fertility will go back to normal. For hormone-sensitive cancers, ongoing antihormonal drug treatment may also be recommended, which can also cause menopausal symptoms. Your healthcare provider and wider team will be able to give you advice on ways to reduce the impact of these symptoms.
Fertility
Some types of treatment (eg, chemotherapy) can cause infertility, although this isn't the case for everyone and many women have their period return within a year after treatment. If having children is important to you, it may be possible to see a fertility specialist before your treatment starts, to look at your options for preserving your fertility. For many women, being unable to have children is a difficult reality to face. It's important to seek support from your partner, whānau, close friends, doctor and breast cancer team.
During treatment it's recommended that you use contraception, as you could still get pregnant over this time and the treatments can harm a developing pregnancy. It's usually advised that you use a reliable method of contraception for a couple of years after the end of treatment too. This is the time cancers are more likely to come back which may affect your decision about having a baby.
For women who become pregnant after finishing successful treatment, there's no evidence pregnancy increases the risk of breast cancer recurring.
About one in 20 breast cancers is caused by a faulty breast cancer (BRCA) gene. If yours was caused by such a gene, your healthcare provider can help you decide whether genetic testing would be helpful for your wider whānau.
Self-image and self-confidence
It's natural to experience a sense of shock and sadness after breast cancer treatment.
Depending on the treatment you've had, your breasts may have scars, not match each other, or have a different texture or shape, which can be hard for some women to come to terms with. Your breast nurse is trained to help with any problems you may have, including scarring, skin rash and finding a suitable prosthetic breast to wear inside your bra. Your surgeon will be able to discuss breast reconstruction or implant options with you. Time and having people to support you, can help you rebuild your confidence and regain your self-esteem.
Image credit: Canva
Intimacy and sexuality
Breast cancer treatment can cause tiredness and stress, both of which can affect your sex drive (libido). The possible onset of menopause caused by treatment can also cause symptoms (eg, hot flushes, dry skin, vaginal dryness) that affect libido. If you're having menopausal symptoms, ask your healthcare provider about possible treatments and strategies to try.
Being intimate after breast surgery requires trust and may take time. At first, you may feel uncomfortable getting undressed in front of your partner. The best approach is to try to communicate how you are feeling, and whether you have any pain or skin tightening. Your partner may also be going through a difficult time in supporting you through this, so it's important to check in with each other. Counselling may be helpful to overcome issues around confidence or intimacy.
Depression, anxiety and sleep problems
Depression and anxiety are common in women diagnosed with breast cancer. While it's common, it's not something you should deal with alone. Reaching out to your friends and whānau for support, or talking to your healthcare provider, is really important
Regular exercise can help to improve your mood, and help improve your sleep. Good sleep also improves your mood and energy levels as well. If sleep is a problem for you, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider to see what can be done to help. You may find the Te Kete Haerenga sleep resource useful.
Support
The Breast Cancer Foundation has a free phone service (0800 226 8773, 0800 BC NURSE) where a nurse can help with your questions and concerns.
33 tips on creating a great future after breast cancer
Baring it All is an eBook that gives practical tips to assist in rebuilding your life after cancer and guide you gently towards a life that you love.
Image credit: Breast Cancer Nirvana
About the author
Andrea Fairbairn is a Pacific Island New Zealand woman who’s had breast cancer twice. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and again in 2011. From her breast cancer experiences, she wanted to share her vision of making breast cancer easier and a positive life changing moment, rather than all nausea and hair loss.
On a daily basis, think about how you would like to spend the day and do at least one thing just for you. Be kind to yourself.
Get your health foundations right; if you need to, commit to eating a bit better and exercising today. Seek support from friends and family to improve your health.
Rest when you are tired and stop before you over-exert yourself. Plan rest breaks each day and don't rush back into the work place at a million miles an hour.
Acknowledge and celebrate what you have gone through and that you are a strong remarkable woman.
Focus on your recovery and a positive future, not on the past or the unanswerable whys of cancer.
Daily in a journal, write 3 things that you are grateful for.
NZ Cancer Health Information StrategyMinistry of Health, NZ, 2015 This strategy sets the direction for the health sector to improve the quality of cancer health information over the next five years.
Selected cancers 2012, 2013, 2014Ministry of Health, NZ 2015 These tables present numbers and rates of cancer registrations for selected cancers, by ethnic group and sex, for 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Access to the following regional pathways is localised for each region and access is limited to health providers. If you do not know the login details, contact your DHB or PHO for more information:
Refresh your knowledge of genetics concepts and inherited gene mutations associated with increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Audience: GPs, nurses and other providers in primary care
Content: Includes case studies using the screening process to assess personal risk of breast cancer and determine further management according to level of risk.
Also covers risk-reduction advice, routine screening, appropriate referrals to Genetics Health Service New Zealand and the clinical options offered by your local breast service.
Cost: Sign-up is free.
Source: Available on the LearnonLine Ministry of Health, NZ, platform.
Managing breast signs and symptoms
In this module, you’ll work with four women with a range of breast signs and symptoms. You’ll get to read and apply practical advice and algorithms for the management of breast lumps, breast skin and nipple changes, nipple discharge and breast pain.
Audience: GPs, nurses and other providers in primary care
Cost: Sign-up is free.
Source:Available on theLearnonLineMinistry of Health, NZ, platform.
Treatment for breast cancer and managing complications
This course covers the most common treatment options currently available for breast cancer (both surgical and medical), together with their side effects and management, plus the first-line treatment of oncological emergencies. The support systems to assist you with the management of your patients will also be outlined.
Audience: GPs, nurses and other providers in primary care
Cost: Sign-up is free.
Source:Available on theLearnonLine Ministry of Health, NZ, platform.
Image credit: Canva
